We don’t have confirmed lineups or formations from the research — no coach names, no predicted shapes. So we go on what we know. Stoke under any manager tend to be direct, physical, and set-piece dangerous. They’ll look to make it a scrap in midfield, win second balls, and get the ball into the box early. The bet365 Stadium is a cauldron, and Stoke will use that. Expect a high-energy press, a compact shape, and a willingness to go long if needed. They won’t overcomplicate it.

Swansea, historically, are the opposite. They like to play out from the back, keep the ball, and pass through the thirds. But that style needs confidence, and a 0-1 home loss to Birmingham won’t have helped. If Stoke press them aggressively, Swansea could get rattled. The midfield battle will be key — Swansea want to control the tempo, Stoke want to disrupt it. On the flanks, Stoke’s wide players will look to isolate Swansea’s full-backs, especially if the visitors push high. It’s a classic Championship clash: physicality versus possession, chaos versus control. And on home soil, chaos usually wins.